Mets' outfield still work in progress

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Asked about his outfield at the general managers' meetings last November, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson quipped: "What outfield?"

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By The Associated Press

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By The Associated Press

Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By The Associated Press
Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 2:00 AM

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Asked about his outfield at the general managers' meetings last November, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson quipped: "What outfield?"

With Scott Hairston, Jason Bay and Andres Torres departing, and Collin Cowgill, Marlon Byrd, Andrew Brown and Jamie Hoffman coming in, the outfield remains as unsettled as it was three months ago.

"This is about opportunity and you never know how someone's going to take advantage of opportunity," Alderson said.

As the Mets held their second full-squad workout Tuesday, the seven outfielders on the 40-man roster totaled 434 games of major-league experience in the outfield.

Lucas Duda has 175 of those and is slotted into left field following a demotion to the minor leagues for a month last summer. He had surgery in November after he broke his right wrist while moving furniture.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Cowgill, acquired in a December trade with Oakland, could platoon in center.

Right field could be manned by Byrd. Or it could be a combination of Mike Baxter, Byrd Brown and Hoffman — with the three newcomers all at spring training with minor-league deals.

Creating even more options, infielders Zach Lutz and Justin Turner also are working out in the outfield.

"It's definitely an opportunity for young guys and anyone else," Duda said. "We've got a few veterans and young guys in the mix. We are pretty inexperienced as a whole, but that doesn't necessarily mean we aren't going to play hard or play well."

Though Duda is the only player manager Terry Collins has labeled as an everyday outfielder, the 27-year-old still has to show he belongs there. He batted .239 last season with 15 homers and 57 RBI in 459 plate appearances, after hitting .292 with 10 homers and 50 RBI in 347 plate appearances in 2011.

Collins said he expects a better year for Duda offensively and defensively — where he is switching from right field to left.

"I think if he's comfortable he'll show us the offense we know he is capable of having," Collins said. "He will improve his defense, and at the same time his offense will improve to where he's a positive player for us. I have a lot of hope for Lucas, and we're relying on him."

Collins mentioned Baxter as a possible leadoff hitter last week. He's also praising Byrd, an All-Star in 2010 when he batted .293 for the Chicago Cubs.

Byrd hit .210 in 47 games for the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox last year, was released June 12 and then suspended June 25 for 50 games following a positive test for Tamoxifen, which can reduce side effects of steroid use and increase testosterone.

"This guy was one of the best players in the National League not too long ago," Collins said. "If he's the same player he was in Chicago a couple of years ago, we might have found ourselves a right fielder. I know he's that kind of talent."